Hennessy unveils fifth Master Blender’s Selection

Cognac producer Hennessy has added to its limited edition Master Blender’s Selection range.

The first in the collection, Master Blender’s Selection No 1, was released in 2016. The latest expression was curated under master blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, the brand’s eighth-generation master blender. Eighteen distillers have contributed eaux-de-vie to the blend, with each hand-selected by Fillioux de Gironde. “I wanted to pay tribute to the artisans behind the scenes – exclusive Hennessy distillers who are experts and share with us, year after year, first-rate eaux-de-vie remarkable for their purity, finesse and potential,” said Fillioux de Gironde. “Some have been with us almost since the Maison was founded more 200 years ago. It generally takes many years of training between generations for the son or daughter of the current distiller to take over. It’s with these future generations that we’ll continue to grow and offer Cognacs rooted in our terroir yet deeply contemporary in nature.” “Being the eighth-generation master blender is a tremendous honour, and I feel privileged to be able to continue the craft that was passed down to me by my uncle Yann Fillioux. “With Master Blender’s Selection No 5, I opted for an innovative approach blend produced in a single batch that will never be replicated – this limited edition is a celebration of the collaborative spirit and expertise in the world of Cognac.” Master Blender’s Selection No 5 comprises eaux-de-vie aged for at least seven years in French oak. On the nose, the expression offers ‘notes of spice and candied orange’, while the palate has ‘delightful pastry notes of cocoa and sweet spices with a comforting creaminess’. Bottled at 43% ABV, Master Blender’s Selection No 5 retails for US$99 for a 750ml bottle. Last month, LVMH-owned Hennessy launched a marketing campaign to ‘shake up’ perceptions of the brand.